When Formula 1 cars roar past at more than 200 miles per hour, the focus is usually on lap times, rivalries and podium finishes. But away from the circuits, another story quietly unfolds — one about relationships, family life and the people waiting at the finish line.
That softer side of racing returns with the eighth season of Formula 1: Drive to Survive, which premiered Feb. 27, 2026. Covering the dramatic 2025 Formula 1 season, the series again widens its lens beyond the drivers themselves, offering glimpses into the partners who share — and often steady — the intensity of life in motorsport.
For many viewers, these personal moments have become just as compelling as the races.
A Different Kind of Support Team
Formula 1 has long been associated with glamour, pressure and relentless travel. Season 8 highlights how drivers balance those demands with relationships that exist far from the paddock spotlight.
World champion Max Verstappen and model Kelly Piquet have been together since 2020, welcoming their daughter Lily in April 2025. Piquet, the daughter of former F1 champion Nelson Piquet, brings her own connection to racing while maintaining a career in fashion and modeling.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc reached a personal milestone off-track as well. He and art history enthusiast Alexandra Saint Mleux, who shares her passion for art with millions online, announced their engagement in late 2025 — a reminder that even in a high-speed sport, life moves forward at its own pace.
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz has been linked to Scottish model Rebecca Donaldson since 2023. Though both keep their relationship largely private, she has been spotted supporting him at races around the world.
Careers Beyond the Grand Prix
One of the season’s recurring themes is independence. Many partners featured are building demanding careers of their own — often in entirely different industries.
Model and influencer Francisca Gomes, who has dated Alpine driver Pierre Gasly since 2022, balances fashion collaborations with a growing online presence. Professional cyclist Tiffany Cromwell, partner of Valtteri Bottas, competes internationally while also co-founding a lifestyle business.
Professional golfer Lily Muni He — engaged to Williams driver Alex Albon as of January 2026 — represents another crossover between elite sports. Their relationship began through social media conversations between two young athletes navigating rookie seasons in different arenas.
Even quieter partnerships reveal similar ambition. Carmen Montero Mundt, girlfriend of Mercedes driver George Russell, studied business and finance and recently returned to education, while fashion designer Egle Ruskyte, married to Nico Hulkenberg, runs her own handmade clothing brand.
Family Life in a Constantly Moving World
For some drivers, life away from racing revolves around parenting.
Sergio Perez and his wife Carola Martinez, married since 2018, are raising four children together — a family rhythm that contrasts sharply with the global travel schedule of Formula 1. BMW driver Kevin Magnussen and his wife Louise Gjørup share two young daughters, and Magnussen has credited her encouragement with helping him return to F1 competition after stepping away briefly.
Then there are couples choosing privacy over publicity. McLaren driver Oscar Piastri and longtime girlfriend Lily Zneimer, who met in high school, intentionally keep their relationship out of the spotlight — a rare decision in a sport increasingly shaped by social media visibility.
Why Fans Keep Watching
Since its debut in 2019, Drive to Survive has reshaped how audiences engage with Formula 1. The series doesn’t just explain strategy or rivalries; it reveals vulnerability — nerves before races, homesickness during long seasons, and the grounding presence of loved ones.
By spotlighting partners with careers, ambitions and identities beyond racing, Season 8 expands the idea of who belongs in the Formula 1 story. These relationships humanize drivers often seen only through helmets and sponsor logos.
For viewers, the appeal is simple: success looks different when you see what — and who — waits beyond the checkered flag.
A Life Bigger Than the Race
In a sport defined by precision and milliseconds, personal life unfolds more slowly. Engagements happen between races, children grow up during long seasons abroad, and careers evolve alongside championship pursuits.
Season 8 quietly suggests that Formula 1 isn’t just about speed. It’s about balance — and the people who help drivers find it when the engines finally go quiet.
